Thank you so much for that link to earlier in this thread, Skinny.

I see from the posts that follow your link, how Hilary also had a Yontoo search engine problem, which was identically similar to your 'Delta Search' problem, and which in turn are identically similar to my own problems. I will call mine a "Mysearchdial" problem.

It would seem that two pieces of coexisting and mutually helping circularly linked Malware attach themselves the user's computer. Remove one, the other immediately re-instals it, etc, etc.

The result of the malware infestation being, that it changes the user's Default Search Engine and it most probably works its way through all the browsers on the machine.

Removal is extremely difficult and, although one uninstalls a browser or changes to a different browser, the malware will reinstall itself.

I harvested two detailed removal techniques from the posting links above.

In summary, these are:

1. Malware Tips: Remove Deltasearch

2. Spyware Forum: Need help removing Deltasearch? - page 1

3. Spyware Forum: Need help removing Deltasearch? - page 2

Doc,

You're right when you say about there being two malicious programs running in tandem which effect re-installation of each other by stealth if one is uninstalled. I doubt, however, that re-installation is carried out immediately. It's far more likely imo that there's an instance of something or other which runs at startup and it does its jiggery-pokery then.

If you can't clearly see what's doing the damage via Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, I suggest you run msconfig and hit the Startup tab. Scroll down through the list of executables and Google each item on the list in turn to see what it does exactly. I'm sure that you'll soon be able to spot the culprit(s) if you use that method.

Once you've identified the cause, you can disable it from running at startup and I'd then search your PC for all instances of it and delete them.

PS. I'd forgotten about that Yontoo thing.

Sorry, Hils

I clean forgot to mention I sorted my problems out by downloading and running:

AdwCleaner v3.018

Care has to be taken with the download source because like you've emphasised on here, any download these days can be accompanied with all sorts of add-ons, tool bars and the like, which are probably just as bad as the stuff one is trying to remove with this program.

Anyhow, it was easy-peasy to use, did the job thoroughly, cleaned all my browsers and everything is now tickety boo.

I want to convert an M4V file to AVI or similar - there seems to be tons of 'free' software - any recommendations?

DVDVideoSoft is a great suite of programs that do everything and FREE

http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/free-dvd-video-software.htm#.Uw9KPMGnxYk

Skinners,

There's shedloads of M4V to AVI convertors on some of my coupon code sites with free (trial) downloads.

The search function on my Discount Software Vouchers site is very good (try http://discountsoftwarevouchers.com/search/?query=m4v+avi) for finding stuff.

However, to access the free trialware (and best prices if you want to buy after you've tried), you'll need to head on over either to my Coupon Code Shack website (http://couponcodeshack.com/) or to eSoftware Coupons (http://esoftwarecoupons.com/). Unfortunately, the search function on those two sites needs recoding to get them up to scratch.

Thanks Haystack - running it now.

Hils - that's why I asked - it seems the world and his brother have developed software.

I've been given a copy of a current film in M4V format and my Samsung TV - not surprisingly, won't see it on the USB - obviously I can watch it on my PC, but not quite the same.

Thanks for the links - I'll have a play.

Skinny,

As a suggestion, take a look on the various YouTube video clips about doing this.

Here's one featuring DVDVideoSoft. It's a bit of a giggle too. (What a crappy speeler!) Note how it's an M4V being downloaded in the clip:

Skinners,

What you'll find is that most of the audio and video software companies operate several companies selling exactly the same stuff at different prices under multiple umbrellas. Rebranding is quick and easy, and it's an effective way to increase market share.

Most of the software tends to come out of China (the Russians and Chinese are the best coders in the world imho). I won't mention specific names, but that search query pulled over 600 results, most of which came supposedly from about 20 different companies. In truth, it probably all comes from no more than 4 or 5 companies.

All of that said, the free DVDVideoSoft thing that Haystack suggested will probably do exactly the same thing. I'd give that a go if I were you. [Edit: Just remember that nothing is actually free in this world, and you'll have to make sure you don't inadvertently install any of those unwanted add-ons that do nasty things to your PC as happened to Doc a little while back]

I have just converted it and the TV now sees it - thanks all.

BTW - It's the Wolf of Wall Street & 12 years a slave.

What's the film length time for your 'W of WS'? There's one going round which has miles more on it than the movie currently hitting the cinemas?

Apparently 2:59:49

[Edit: Just remember that nothing is actually free in this world, and you'll have to make sure you don't inadvertently install any of those unwanted add-ons that do nasty things to your PC as happened to Doc a little while back]

Here, here! Don't forget to untick those download boxes and exclude those toolbars!

Mind you, if you do mess up with the download, it seems to me 'AdwCleaner' will sort all/any of the affected browsers out. But once again, do watch out downloading AdwCleaner for the same toolbar addons which typically come down with any download these days.

2:59 is the regular film. See Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wolf_of_wall_street_2013/

For more sex and swearing see: http://collider.com/the-wolf-of-wall-street-extended-cut-4-hours/

Jordan Belfort ('The Wolf', played by Leonardo DeCaprio) gets told 'No more nooky!' by Margot Robbie (played by Naomi Lapaglia), whilst at the same time being shown how good it actually looks and reminded just what he's going to be missing:

http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/the-wolf-of-wall-street-margot-robbie-leonardo-dicaprio.jpg

I think the original will be fine!

If they cut the "F" word out of the film, it would probably only be about an hour and a half long!

An amazing story! It seemed to me the 'F' word, drugs and sex all seemed entirely appropriate to the story. Cut all that out and it would be down to five minutes.

It must be the 'voyeur' element in me that made me enjoy it. :-)

The guy that the story is based on, said the other day that only 25% of what happened was shown. There was far more sex in particular and far more tablets but less cocaine and heroin.

Are you getting enough?

Find out at http://www.netindex.com/

Click on 'Go to my Location' and then click on 'Allow' to give your browser permission to give your computer's location. The site then gives a map revealing the fastest broadband speed available in your area. There are also links to other tools, including 'Speedtest' and 'Pingtest'.

Probably opens up your comp to a lot of undesirables too.,.